What is orthorexia?

It’s healthy to aim for a quality diet. However, for people dealing with orthorexia, this preoccupation can turn into an obsession.

Eating well—at any cost

Many people recognize that eating well is important. Nowadays, we are bombarded by a barrage of information about the benefits of healthy cooking. There is no lack of food trends; who doesn’t know someone who eats "organic", "KETO" or "vegan"? Being concerned about nutrition is a worthy aspiration, but what happens when it becomes all-consuming and excessive? The search for nutritional perfection now has a name: orthorexia.

While individuals who suffer from anorexia nervosa or bulimia are obsessed by the quantity of food they ingest, people with orthorexia are obsessed about its quality. Junk food is an example of what they would likely categorically refuse to eat. Furthermore, people affected by it could develop an aversion to foods containing the following:

  • fat
  • sugar
  • salt
  • gluten
  • food additives
  • other chemical products, and
  • any other substance that is considered harmful

Caution, it is important not to be too quick to label others as some individuals tend to do with certain foods. Many people are committed to eating well and to reading up on nutrition without having a disorder of any kind! If you believe someone close to you is overly focused on food, speak to him/her about your concerns. Speaking openly and without judgment will help you to understand the situation and to offer your support to this person, if needed.

Consulting a nutrition specialist

It is true that healthy eating is the basis of good health. Health-conscious individuals understand that the quality of the foods they choose impacts the onset of diseases, well-being, vitality, and longevity. People’s nutritional habits are often based on their knowledge and beliefs. Consulting a nutritionist is a strategy likely to help individuals make the right decisions about healthy eating, according to their particular situation. The Canada Food Guide is also valuable tool for anyone who wishes to base their decisions on accurate and thorough information.

The question: “Is eating too healthy good for you?” is a relevant one. Does the notion of an ideal diet really exist? When it comes to food, many people agree that it is a question of balance. Shouldn’t the joys of eating be based more on taste and variety and less on restrictions? Raising questions about one’s diet certainly has its virtues; however making well-informed choices is also important. That is why expert advice by specialists is worth its weight in gold.

Remember that your pharmacist is always there to help and to answer your questions concerning any health-related issues!

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What is orthorexia?

It’s healthy to aim for a quality diet. However, for people dealing with orthorexia, this preoccupation can turn into an obsession.
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